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The criminal justice system is titled radically against poor Americans.

In cities and small towns across the America, high fines and fees are widespread in juvenile and adult courts. With a lack of public defenders, the use of money bail and ever-increasing payments can mean repeated jail time and mountains of debt, it can be almost impossible for poor Americans to get out of a cycle debt and incarceration.

"In America today, it is too often a crime to be poor," writes Peter Edelman.